# wavyleaf mullein (*Verbascum sinuatum*)

Wavyleaf mullein is a tall plant with soft, fuzzy leaves that look like waves. It grows beautiful yellow flowers that can attract butterflies and bees!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![wavyleaf mullein](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Verbascum_sinuatum.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Iorsh at en.wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Verbascum_sinuatum.jpg)

## Appearance

The wavyleaf mullein is a tall, biennial plant known for its striking, wavy-edged basal leaves forming a large rosette. Its erect stem bears numerous small, bright yellow flowers, giving it a distinctive appearance compared to other green weeds.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Scrophulariaceae
- **Genus:** Verbascum

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Romans used mullein stalks dipped in oil as torches!
- Some historical cultures would toss mullein leaves into water to stun fish!
- This plant's tiny seeds can survive buried in soil for over 100 years!
- Wavyleaf mullein often pops up first in recently disturbed soil!

## Special abilities

- **Fuzzy Shield:** Wavyleaf mullein has soft, woolly leaves that help it trap moisture and deter hungry animals from taking a bite.
- **Deep Drinker:** Wavyleaf mullein can grow a long taproot that helps it find water deep underground in dry, poor soil.
- **Seed Survivor:** Wavyleaf mullein produces thousands of tiny seeds that can stay viable in soil for many decades!

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-150 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Biennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen
- **Eats:** Mullein Moth (*Cucullia verbasci*) — caterpillars feed on leaves
- **Symbiotic with:** European wool carder bee (*Anthidium manicatum*) — females collect leaf hairs for nests

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify wavyleaf mullein?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is wavyleaf mullein?

30-150 cm

### How wide does wavyleaf mullein spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on wavyleaf mullein?

1-2.5 cm

### When does wavyleaf mullein bloom?

Summer

### Is wavyleaf mullein edible?

No

### Is wavyleaf mullein toxic?

None

### What is wavyleaf mullein's lifecycle?

Biennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Wavyleaf Mullein: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wavyleaf-mullein)